Danny Handling hopes Hibs boss will notice goals

NEIL McGLADE

Danny Handling is hoping his two goals in the club’s Under-20s’ draw with Kilmarnock this week can convince manager Terry Butcher he has the firepower to keep Hibs above the relegation play-off spot.

The 20-year-old grabbed a brace in Tuesday’s 3-3 clash at Rugby Park for the youngsters and again went close in Thursday night’s 2-0 triumph over Celtic at Cappielow.

Now the striker, who admits he has been disappointed by his goal return having found the net only once for the first team this season, wants to prove he has the mettle in front of goal to ease the increasing relegation fears.

“As a striker, it’s good to score at any level, whether it be for the under-20s or the first team,” Handling said. “It’s good to show the manager what I can do. Obviously some games I’ve scored, but in most I haven’t for the first team, but he’s put faith in me, so if I can continue playing then I want to reward him by scoring goals.

“You take knocks in the first team. You play one week and then you don’t the next, which puts you down a bit, but you just need to get on with it and work The 20-year-old grabbed a brace in Tuesday’s 3-3 clash at Rugby Park for the youngsters and again went close in Thursday night’s 2-0 triumph over Celtic at Cappielow.

Now the striker, who admits he has been disappointed by his goal return having found the net only once for the first team this season, wants to prove he has the mettle in front of goal to ease the increasing relegation fears.

“As a striker, it’s good to score at any level, whether it be for the under-20s or the first team,” Handling said. “It’s good to show the manager what I can do. Obviously some games I’ve scored, but in most I haven’t for the first team, but he’s put faith in me, so if I can continue playing then I want to reward him by scoring goals.

“You take knocks in the first team. You play one week and then you don’t the next, which puts you down a bit, but you just need to get on with it and work